2011 Montecristo No. 2 Gran Reserva Consecha 2005

[maverickdrinker]

2011 Montecristo No. 2 Gran Reserva Consecha 2005

The 2011 Montecristo No. 2 Gran Reserva is the 2nd release in the Habano Gran Reserva series.  This was a 5,000 box release and 15 cigars in each box.  The tobacco used for this release was from the 2005 tobacco harvest.

The Gran Reserva series started in 2009 with the release of the Cohiba Gran Reserva Siglo VI.  

From 'The World of the Habano' book...

'The term Gran Reserva applies only to Habanos whose binders, fillers, and wrappers have all been aged for at least 5 years before being rolled at the factory.  

Only those judged to be the finest leaves from Vuelta Abajo, the best tobacco growing zone in Cuba, are chosen to undergo such a lengthy confinement to ensure that, when the time comes to turn them into Habanos, they will offer a unique flavour and profile.'

Well, onto the review...

[maverickdrinker]

Picked up a few of these on my last trip to Cuba.  Haven't smoked many of them so far so tonight should be fun.

The Montecristo No. 2 Gran Reserva is a beauty to behold.  The wrapper is a gorgeous light, creamy colorado brown, like a light latte colour.  Smooth as silk and no visible veins.

The construction is impeccable!!!!  Solid throughout the whole cigar.  There are no soft spots at all.  The tips of the head are probably the most pointed I have seen in a Monte 2 for a long time.  The torcedor who rolled this is one talented person!!

Beautiful aromas of creamy, creamy chocolate, hazelnut and dark sugar.  Reminds me of a hazelnut latte.  Just a gorgeous array of flavours.

The draw is firm.  May need another snip from my Palio to open it up if it is a little too tight.  It's rainy and damp in Toronto.  Hope that this doesn't interfere with progress.

The cold draw reveals more cream, dark brown sugar, chocolate and a very slight tinge of earthiness.

Time to take this to the flame....

[maverickdrinker]

First Third

Deep earthiness, molasses, cream, leather, expresso and vanilla bean.  Reminds me of a delicious creme brulee and an expresso that you would have after a mind blowing meal.  Very rich and decadent flavours, this cigar has.

Burn line is wonky.  I blame the dampness in the air and my lighter conking out while I was lighting this.  Had to run in and refuel.

No questioning the flavours on this one.  Puts you in a zen like coma.  The after finish can last for days.  Leather, cream, earthiness, molasses and expresso all coming at you.  Pure deliciousness.  Very impressive for a young cigar.  Actually, that's not correct.  A young cigar, in terms of the rolling as the tobacco was at least 5 years old that was used.

Draw is bang on.  Full, copious amounts of smoke enveloping the night.  Everyone is getting blue smoke tonight!!!!

[maverickdrinker]

Second Third

Burn line has corrected itself.  Razor sharp now.  The vanilla bean, molasses and cream have moved to the forefront.  The earthy, leather and expresso flavours are complimenting this nicely.  Oh man, why did I not pick up more of these....

The smoke is just billowing off this thing.  This is a fantastic cigar to enjoy on a quiet evening.  All I need is to have 'Let's get it on' by Marvin Gaye playing in the background.  LOL  Did I mention I should have bought more of these?!?!  

Might have to grab a dram of Ron Zacapa 23 to see how it pairs together for the last third.

[maverickdrinker]

Final Third

A nice spiciness has joined the party and complements the earthy, leathery, creamy, molasses and expresso flavours.  Sweetness, combined with rich, robust earthiness and a touch of spice.  Remarkable!!!!  

The strength of this cigar was medium up until this point.  Got to give it a medium full now as the cigar has turned it up a notch.  I think that these will age beautifully!!!!  I wonder if these were what Dunhill Montecristo No 2s tasted like.  Never had a Monte 2 with this level of richness and complexity.  Just heavenly!!!

Burn line is in good shape.  Draw is getting a little tighter.  Might be due to the dampness in the air.  Don't you go out on me.....  I am loving you too much to stop now!!!!!  

The Ron Zacapa 23 goes superbly with the Montecristo No. 2 Gran Reserva.  A match made in heaven.  This is ridiculously good!!!

I have to say that the ash stays on for a long time.  Only 2 break offs so far.  Not looking forward to seeing this end.  This is like one of those nights where you wish it would last forever!!!!  Hot damn, I am enjoying this cigar!!!

[maverickdrinker]

Final Impressions

This one is a keeper.  This is the best Monte 2 that I have ever smoked.  Such, rich, decadent flavours with complexity that keeps you coming back for more.  I am going to have to bury the rest of these as they are sssssooooo delicious right now.  Time in the humidor has done them well.  I only wonder how much better these will get with some age.  These have the ability to go for the long haul.

[cigcars]

Was able to acquire a 3ea. sampler of these coveted Habanos last year. While happy as hell to get ahold of them, to be honest I've gotten QUITE a bit more enjoyment out of the regular production Monte No.2's than these. I've smoked two and have the one left in the Daniel Marshall humidor. Taste is more akin to Sancho Panza Belicoso with a bit more character than classic Monte No.2. Still glad like the dickens to get them

[nikesupremedunk]

Great review! The wrapper does look very smooth. I wonder how they compare to some of the Monte 2's that's been popping up in the LFTH's.

[bassman]

Rather than comparing the Reserva to a Dunhill MC#2, which had different tobacco strains & 30+ years more age, a comparison to a regular MC#2 from 2005 would be most interesting.

[mk05]

I don't think these taste like Monte 2's at all. More like a bigger RG version of the Especiales...I passed on these.